Manny Ramirez requests release, says he’s at peace with decision

Manny Ramirez requested his release and was granted it today, after staying at Triple-A Sacramento 15 days beyond the date he was eligible to return from his suspension, and he told me by phone that he is at peace with the decision.

“God knows what’s best,” he said.

Ramirez emphasized repeatedly that he wanted to thank the A’s for the opportunity to play – and he said that he had enjoyed spring training with the team and playing with Sacramento enormously. “Sacramento, I had so much fun there, I’m telling you!” he said, and he said it sincerely.

The A’s finished playing at National League ballparks on Thursday, Ramirez remained in the minors, and the team opted not to place outfielder Yoenis Cespedes (hamstring) on the disabled list, which might have cleared a spot for Ramirez to at least get a quick look. So Ramirez concluded that the team was not going to call him up any time soon.

He had been playing well lately, hitting .371 with 11 RBIs in his past nine games, but Ramirez still had not hit any homers at Sacramento.

“I was playing better,” he told me. “I got my timing, I got my rhythm. But there wasn’t a place for me to play. What can I do? I don’t own the team.”

Ramirez said he wants to keep playing, and he hopes to find another opportunity soon. He’s going home to Florida to be with his family, but Ramirez said he will still work out just as frequently.

“Of course I hope I find a place to play, that’s why I got ready in the offseason,” he said. “This is a fun game. I want to keep playing, why not?”

So after all the hoopla of Ramirez’s signing during the spring, he never will wear the green and gold during a regular season game. He’d hoped to play for the A’s, he’d looked forward to it, he became close to all of the players and, he said, he wishes them all the best. (He also said that Cespedes will be a “great, great player.”)

“Oakland is a great place,” Ramirez said. “I love Oakland. I’m not going to complain. They gave me a chance. I was proud to get an opportunity there.”

Manny believes he has demonstrated that he is ready to return to the Major Leagues. However, given that the Oakland Athletics could not give Manny any assurance that they plan to promote him in the immediate future he asked for his release. Manny thanks the A’s for providing him with this opportunity.